Kasuri book launch fallout: Sena to quit Maharashtra government?

After Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis taunted the Shiv Sena of bringing the state a bad name with their protests against former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri’s book launch in Mumbai, sources within the Shiv Sena have claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena alliance in the state may come to an end.

It is being reported that Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray may soon ask the party's ministers in the Fadnavis government to quit their offices. A Times of India report also stated that a section in the Sena is keen that Matoshree should without further delay snap ties with the BJP in view of the latter’s “condescending style of behaviour”.

Furthermore, it is being reported that the Sena and BJP will go their separate ways in the crucial Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation polls. Tuesday is the last day to file nominations for candidates, and with the two parties nowhere close to an agreement, they are most likely to contest as rivals, not allies.

The rift in the alliance became even more apparent on Monday after the Sena smeared ink on the face of Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai, which resulted in outrage from all corners.

Additionally, the Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis provided security for the event and condemned the Sena, saying, “We cannot endorse Kasuri, but can’t let our state turn into banana republic. The rule of law has prevailed. I think the way things have happened has brought a bad name to our state. There could have been better ways to put forth a point of view,” he had said.